Whether you're a labor nurse in Omaha, a postpartum nurse in Grand Island, or the only OB/Neonatal-trained clinician on shift at a critical access hospital, you can't always get to a conference.
So let's press play on learning that fits the gaps in your day: the drive home, the break room, the 10 p.m. couch scroll.
Think of this as a menu, not a reading list.
Pick one from each category, try it for a week, and keep what sticks.
Podcasts for the Commute
Research and Evidence (new studies, explained)
- The Green Room, A Podcast from Obstetrics & Gynecology: Authors unpack new research in plain language.
- The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology, & Women's Health: Their editors in conversation with researchers, policymakers, economists, and others who share a common passion for elevating the health and well-being of more women.
- Evidence Based Birth®: Digs into the research behind common labor and birth practices.
High-Acuity Care (when things get serious)
- The Critical Care Obstetrics Podcast: Insights and discussions on improving maternal health care while caring for critically ill pregnant women.
Nursing and Midwifery Practice (by and for your profession)
- AWHONN Insights: Nursing-centered conversations on women's health and neonatal care.
- The AWHONN Labor Lens Podcast with Lisa Miller: Explores the complexities of perinatal care through expert-led conversations, real case studies, and thoughtful discussion.
- Happy Hour with Bundle Birth Nurses: Meaningful conversations to help you have a large impact on every person and patient you touch.
- Discover Midwives, American College of Nurse-Midwives: Accurate, compassionate, and evidence-informed answers.
Neonatal Focus (for the littlest patients)
- NANNCast, National Association of Neonatal Nurses: Introducing listeners to hot topics in Neonatology, with the hope of creating better patient outcomes.
- The Incubator: A weekly discussion about new evidence in neonatal care.
OB Practice, Communication, and Leadership (the big picture and the hard conversations)
- ACOG Compassionate Conversations, ACOG Practice Management: Highlighting effective techniques and answering questions on difficult topics for patients and OB-GYNs.
- ObG Project Podcasts: Easily accessible, trusted medical information.
- The Obstetrics Podcast for OB/GYNs and Healthcare Leaders: A series of conversations from maternal mortality to burnout to the changing landscape of women's healthcare.
Whole-Person Health (great to recommend to patients, too)
- Brave & Curious with Dr. Lora Shahine: A blend of evidence-based medicine with empathy and curiosity.
- As a Woman with Dr. Natalie Crawford: Science-based insights on fertility, hormone health, and reproductive wellness without overwhelm.
Challenge: Download one episode today. Share one takeaway at your next huddle or in your team chat.
Apps for the Point of Care
Quick clinical tools
- EFM Guide: NICHD definitions and ACOG guidelines
- OB Emergencies by Uniformed Services University: Emergency checklists at the bedside
- SMI, Safe Motherhood Initiative: Swift bundle resource access for the five leading causes of maternal mortality
- NRP-Assist-2.0: A refresher on neonatal resuscitation steps.
Clinical calculators, scoring tools, & medications
- MDCalc: Calculators and scoring tools when you need a number fast.
- Epocrates: Drug and clinical decision support
- LactMed: Medication safety during breastfeeding.
- MommyMeds (Infant Risk Center): Another quick lookup for meds in pregnancy and lactation.
For you
- Calm or Headspace: Because a 5-minute reset after a tough shift counts as professional development too.
Books for the Bedside (or Nightstand)
- The Birth Book by Dr. Jennifer Lincoln: An OB-GYN's guide to demystifying Labor and Delivery.
- Birth Vibes by Jen Hamilton: The ultimate companion for anyone preparing to give birth—or supporting someone who is.
- I Thought I Was Here to Help by Maggie Runyon: Unveiling the healthcare system, unleashing the nurse advocate.
Your Turn
What's the one podcast, app, or book you recommend to every new colleague? E-mail us at npqic-edu@unmc.edu, and let's build a Nebraska-grown resource list together.
